As long as they passed through this door, they could follow the downward staircase to the outside world. With the complex structure of the wandering crossroads, even those from the Order Bureau would find it hard to catch up with them.
Norm stepped forward, a violent tremor shadowing him. He abruptly looked up, the source of the tremor coming from above, continuously pursuing them.
Earth shook and mountains trembled.
The buildings let out an eerie cry; there was no talk of designers or engineers in the wandering crossroads. Every building here was an illegal construction. So-called earthquake-resistant design was non-existent; this was merely a sandcastle shaped out of steel and mud, teetering on the brink of collapse under the vibrations.
Finally, like thunder striking, a deafening roar completely shattered the ceiling above, sending concrete, metal, and wood collapsing and disintegrating.
Norm shouted, reaching out and grabbing the swiftly advancing Reid. Thanks to this pull, Reid's steps faltered for a moment, and then countless debris collapsed, blocking their path.
Reid stared blankly at the spectacle, looking up as layer after layer of the ceiling above collapsed, seeing murky light cascading down from above the Great Rift.
Dust filled the air, Reid rigidly turned his head, his face pale as a corpse. He looked at Norm, seemingly wanting to say something in gratitude.
Reid uttered a few words, only to find himself unable to speak, casting a pleading gaze to the side. Norm, however, had a grave expression and continued to slowly step back, distancing himself from Reid.
Reid couldn't understand, but soon a searing pain penetrated his mind, blood gushing from his throat, staining his pale face.
"Can't open a door, then break a window."
The cold words sounded in his ear, and a sharp folding knife pierced through from behind his neck, the deadly steel jamming into Reid's throat, forcing him to utter a painful wail. His hands clawed helplessly at his throat, only to open more wounds from the blade.
Norm's face turned somber.
Under his gaze, the folding knife that pierced the throat began to twist, shredding bone and nerve, then abruptly withdrew, slicing the entire head clean off.
As Reid's head fell, the bloody cross-section revealed the man hiding behind Reid, his visage fitting perfectly where the head once was, his figure overlapping, exuding a chilling aura.
The headless corpse stood rigidly in place, increasingly bright light looming in its eye sockets, like a burning, azure ghost fire atop the severed neck.
Bologue did not answer Norm's question, instead voicing his name.
He retreated, shrouded in his re-worn gray-black trench coat. Under the power of the "Concealer," Bologue's figure began to blur, disappearing into the swirling dust, leaving no trace.
Norm angrily scanned the surroundings, pulling a handgun from his waist, vigilantly watching all around.
There was no time for hesitation, invisible forces echoed and surged in the darkness, imbuing Norm's body, granting magnificent power to a mere mortal.
Intricate, artisan-like patterns appeared on Norm's skin, radiating a faint glow, as if tattoos etched into his body.
"The time for punishment has arrived."
Bologue's voice echoed in the darkness, accompanied by deep, low growls. The demons that should have been dormant stirred awake. They struggled, breaking their chains one by one.
The blue-eyed evil spirit proclaimed in the darkness.